Police Probe Rash Of Copper Thefts In Sheraden

Police are investigating a recent string of copper thefts at homes and a church in Sheraden. (Photo Credit: KDKA)

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Police are investigating after a rash of copper thefts in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden neighborhood.

There have been at least five in the last month. Pittsburgh police say four homes have been hit so far, as well as a nearby church.

“They took all the copper piping, especially the piping in the basement, and then in all of the rooms,” said Rev. Donald Buchleitner, the pastor of Holy Innocents Church. “The sisters have individual sinks; they smashed those and took all the piping that led to the sinks.”

The church is located on Landis Avenue. Rev. Buchleitner says it won’t be cheap to fix the damage.

“It was pretty badly damaged, the sinks will have to be replaced,” he added of the theft. “The pipes will all have to be replaced, they took all the electric meters; they took all that stuff. So, to replace it, it’ll cost a lot of money.”

Rev. Buchleitner also says that this isn’t the first time copper has been taken from the church. He says copper was taken from the church after it fell off during last year’s bad winter storms.

The damage to the church and the convent haven’t been added up yet, but it is a lot.

Anyone with information on the cases is being asked to contact Pittsburgh Police.